Acetic acid reacts separately with the following alcohols. The rate of esterification is higher for `:`

Options

A. `CH_(3)OH`
B. `C_(2)H_(5)OH`
C. `(CH_(3))_(2)CHOH`
D. `(CH_(3))_(3)COH`

Explanation

To determine which alcohol reacts faster with acetic acid in the esterification process, we need to consider the structure of the alcohols and the concept of steric hindrance. The reaction of acetic acid (CH₃COOH) with alcohols leads to the formation of esters, and the rate of this reaction can vary depending on the type of alcohol used.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Alcohols**:
We need to consider the types of alcohols that might be reacting with acetic acid. Common examples include:
- Methanol (CH₃OH) - a primary alcohol
- Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) - a primary alcohol
- Isopropanol (C₃H₇OH) - a secondary alcohol
- Tert-butanol (C₄H₉OH) - a tertiary alcohol

2. **Understand Esterification**:
The reaction between acetic acid and an alcohol to form an ester and water is known as esterification. The general reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{RCOOH} + \text{R'OH} \rightarrow \text{RCOOR'} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]
where R is the acetic acid part and R' is the alcohol part.

3. **Consider Steric Hindrance**:
Steric hindrance refers to the crowding around a reactive site that can slow down a reaction. In esterification, the more substituents (or larger groups) attached to the alcohol, the more steric hindrance there is, which can slow down the reaction.

4. **Rank the Alcohols**:
Based on the degree of alcohols:
- Primary alcohols (like methanol and ethanol) have less steric hindrance and react faster.
- Secondary alcohols (like isopropanol) have moderate steric hindrance.
- Tertiary alcohols (like tert-butanol) have the most steric hindrance and react the slowest.

5. **Determine the Fastest Reaction**:
Since methanol (CH₃OH) is a primary alcohol with no substituents, it will have the least steric hindrance and thus will react the fastest with acetic acid compared to other alcohols.

6. **Conclusion**:
Therefore, the rate of esterification is higher for methanol (CH₃OH) when reacting with acetic acid.

### Final Answer:
The rate of esterification is higher for **methanol (CH₃OH)**.